Latin America in Focus

Artificial intelligence may spark job loss fears across the Americas, but businesses and people in the region are increasingly adopting the technology. Ángel Melguizo, partner at Argia and Latin America advisor to UNESCO on ethics and AI, outlined what countries need to do to benefit from the AI revolution without leaving people behind. He also covers the urgent need for a “coalition of the good” in terms of AI regulation, and where Latin America stands on the matter.Learn more about the AS/COA Tech Series: www.as-coa.org/tech  Hear our previous episode with Melguizo about the China Belt and Road initiative.https://bit.ly/3KvWjPVThe music in this episode is "Thakita” by Ganesh Anandan, performed by Alejandro Escuer and Felipe Perez Santiago for Americas Society. Learn more about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.org This episode was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast  Send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org or via Twitter: @ASCOA   Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

The second half of 2023 will see Spain take over several EU leadership posts, and Madrid has pledged to deepen its  focus on EU-Latin American relations. Could this lead to aflourishing regional relations? Ahead of the EU-CELAC summit in July, author Michael Reid explained the roadblocks to trans-Atlantic integration. From Ukraine to a Mercosur-EU free trade agreement to Venezuela, Reid explains how a lack of a unified Latin American front affects  its relationship with Europe and beyond.The music in this podcast is “La pollera colorá” by Carlota Santana for Americas Society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slc6K5cE44oLearn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcastSend us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

In a world struggling with geopolitical uncertainty, how can North America offer a secure environment and economic stability? In this episode, conducted in collaboration with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation (USMF), we explore the answer to this question and more. USMF Managing Director Enrique Perret interviews AS/COA’s Susan Segal about how Canada, Mexico, and the United States can build on 30 years of free-trade ties to drive exponential trade growth. The conversation emphasizes the need to eliminate North American barriers to labor mobility, how the 2026 World Cup gives the region the chance to amplify cultural relations, and how 2024 elections in both the United States and Mexico offer a chance to reframe the discussion around bilateral ties.Susan Segal is co-chair of USMF’s North Capital Forum this year, taking place in Mexico City in October 2023. Learn more: https://www.northcapitalforum.com/The music in the intro and outro of this podcast was recorded for Americas Society. For more about upcoming concerts, visit: www.musicoftheamericas.orgLearn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast Send us feedback and comments at: latamfocus@as-coa.org       Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Guatemalans head to the polls June 25 with their country’s democracy at a crossroads. Despite nearly two dozen presidential candidates on the ballot, three key contenders were eliminated and dozens of the country’s corruption-battling prosecutors and journalists face exile or imprisonment. What does this mean for the election? What is the U.S.’s role? How do Guatemala’s youth see their country’s prospects? Veteran journalist Juan Luis Font, a radio anchor with ConCriterio covering his country’s politics in exile, talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis,Learn more about Guatemala’s elections.Poll tracker: t.ly/aBnKfAS/COA’s election explainer: t.ly/YW6gGuide to 2023 Latin American Elections: www.as-coa.org/2023 The music in this episode is "El arpómetro de Carlos," by P. Coulon and H. Martínez, performed by Ángel Tolosa for Americas Society. Learn more about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.orgThis episode was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme and Associate Producer Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast Send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org or via Twitter: @ASCOA Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Ecuador’s Guillermo Lasso chose to do something unprecedented on May 17, invoking a constitutional clause that dissolved the National Assembly and triggered a new set of elections for the executive and legislative branches. Now that he’s Lasso ruling by decree, what can Ecuadorans expect in this period of uncertainty? And who are the big players ahead of the upcoming election? Atrevia’s Quito-based Carmen Sánchez-Laulhé talks with AS/COA Online’s Chase Harrison about the road ahead as the Andean country heads into uncharted territory.The music in this episode is "Yumbo," by Gerardo Guevara, performed by Ensamble InConcerto for Americas Society. Watch the performance: https://youtu.be/S3Bqxo0hdwgFind out about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.orgRead our recent coverage of Ecuador’s impeachment process https://tinyurl.com/27cwchvz and timeline of events: https://tinyurl.com/y45b4357Stay up on what might come next in our 2023 Election Guide: www.as-coa.org/2023This episode was produced by Jon Orbach. Luisa Leme is the executive producer. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcastSend us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org or via Twitter @ASCOA Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Arthur Bispo do Rosario never intended to become an artist. But he’s now recognized as a pioneering force in Latin American art. After experiencing hallucinations at the age of 29, he was checked in to a psychiatric institution where he spent the rest of his life. While there, he heard voices that told him to recreate all existing materials on earth. It’s from this idea that Americas Society drew the name for its exhibition, Bispo do Rosario: All Existing Materials on Earth. In this episode, we hear a conversation with the four curators exploring Bispo’s life, art, influence, and first U.S. solo show.The show is open in New York City at Americas Society through May 20. See images, videos, and a pocket book about the exhibition at: www.as-coa.org/bispoThe music in this podcast was "Sexteto Místico" by Heitor Villa-Lobos, performed at Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at  musicoftheamericas.orgThe voice of Bispo do Rosario you hear in this episode comes from the documentary O Prisioneiro da Passagem, by Hugo Denizart. You can watch the film on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/8MzFTaOvsCQCheck out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastWe’d love your feedback! Write us at latamfocus@as-coa.org with comments, questions, and ideas. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

With Honduras having switched sides to Beijing in March 2023, only 13 countries worldwide recognize Taiwan over China. More than half are in Latin America and the Caribbean. Why are so many of Taipei’s allies based in the region? What happens after a country chooses China? And what do upcoming elections in Paraguay and Guatemala—the two biggest economies that still recognize Taiwan—mean for the future of this East Asian diplomatic tug of war? Florida International University’s Leland Lazarus, who served in U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. foreign service, answers these questions and more in a conversation with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis.Learn more about upcoming elections with AS/COA’s 2023 guide: www.as-coa.org/2023Hear about elections in Guatemala in a prior episode: t.ly/1vU2qRead about Paraguay’s elections: t.ly/Qhb8Read our guest’s research:Red Flags among Golden Passports—An Analysis of Chinese Influence in Five Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program at FIU t.ly/iCPXWhat Taiwan Can Learn from Honduras’ Switch to China, Foreign Policy, co-authored with Ryan C. Berg t.ly/SrxoThe music in this episode is “El Choclo” performed by Sergio Reyes and Emilio Teubal for Americas Society. Watch the performance: https://youtu.be/czRjMxxM_eMFind out about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.orgThis episode was produced by Jon Orbach. Luisa Leme is the executive producer. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcastSend us feedback at ascoa.online@as-coa.org or via Twitter @ASCOA. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Latin America’s startups have spent the past three years navigating the tricky macroeconomic environment wrought by the pandemic. Now, they’re fending with high interest rates, a tightening pool of venture capital, and—oh yeah!—the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. AS/COA CEO and President Susan Segal explains why the collapse won’t rattle Latin America’s markets and how the region’s startups can thrive amid uncertainty, and she offers her short-term macroeconomic concerns.  Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastThe music in this podcast is "Las dos milongas" performed by Estefanía Melonio (https://youtu.be/KMu5nVWZlFY) and “Descarga Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga” performed by Uzzo Ismael (https://youtu.be/28MeIwqw4y4). Learn more and find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org  Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

When thinking about challenges for U.S.-Mexico ties, corn might not be the first thing to come to mind. But a simmering trade dispute over a potential Mexican ban of GMO corn could have enormous consequences for these intertwined economies. In this episode, North American trade expert Diego Marroquín tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about the potential impact of such a ban and why the case is a “litmus test for Mexico’s commitment to USMCA.”The music in this podcast is performed by Tembembe Ensemble Continuo for Americas Society. Watch the video of this performance: https://youtu.be/MHA33RgI51oFind out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.orgOther music in the podcast was performed by Botellita de Jerez and Nostalgia Huasteca.Learn more about Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

March 5, 2023 marks 10 years of President Nicolás Maduro’s rule in Venezuela. Maduro has overseen a decade of economic turmoil, democratic backsliding, and a mass exodus of more than seven million Venezuelans. How does the government operate? And what will the 2024 elections bring? Bloomberg journalist Fabiola Zerpa and Amherst College professor of political science Javier Corrales discuss Venezuela’s political history and prospects with AS/COA Senior Director Guillermo Zubillaga.Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastThe music in this podcast is: “Zumba Cum Laude” by C4 Trío. https://youtu.be/F_pdNY_wz5kLearn more at: musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/